SUNY Maritime College Annual Report 2020-2021

Letter from THE PRESIDENT

W e returned to campus in Fall 2020 with great enthusiasm and hope for a new academic year after a historic statewide pause during the spring and summer months. As students returned to campus and incoming freshman were starting their new Fall Semester, we were faced with adapting to a new “normal” and implementing COVID health and safety protocols. Maritime College was prepared to have students back on campus and eager to provide a newer version of the in-person classroom instructional experience. In many ways, the College pivoted, incorporating hybrid and remote instruction methods to various courses, and applying new approaches to traditional programs such as Indoctrination and Summer Sea Term. In this Annual Report, we look at the past fiscal year through the lens of a timeline while highlighting the ways in which the College regularly adapted to provide a path for hands-on learning in a safe environment on campus and at sea. From modifying athletics practices, Commencement Ceremonies and Indoctrination of new students in the Regiment of Cadets to creating new healthcare partnerships that allowed over 500 fully vaccinated cadets and ship’s crew to sail on the first Summer Sea Term since 2019, Maritime College was prepared to pivot and propel students towards academic success and degree completion. Our small, yet focused Maritime College community completed a total of 23 weeks of in-person classroom learning, during which time students, faculty and staff participated in 19,000 surveillance tests and almost 900 students received vaccinations by the end of the Spring Semester. I am both proud and humbled by the dedication and support demonstrated by of our faculty and staff in the all-hands-on-deck effort to forge ahead. These individuals were key in helping to achieve the success we experienced as a learning community. I am also grateful for the generosity of many alumni, friends and donors whose willingness to contribute by way of scholarships, Class gifts and other financial means, afforded numerous students the opportunity to remain at Maritime College and complete their degree programs. In this Report, we share one student’s story of the impact a scholarship had on his life and career. The need for many students continues to be a reality and I recognize that without generous giving, many of our students would not be able to meet the financial obligation of obtaining a Maritime College degree. The journey this past year has demonstrated the very best of Maritime’s tradition of adaptability in the face of unpredictability, and our resolve to meet, modify and overcome the challenges and situations we encounter. Collectively, we achieved the goals of completing the academic year safely and successfully holding three Commencement celebrations. Our Men’s Lacrosse team won the 2021 Skyline Conference championship, over 800 cadets took part in national and international Summer Sea Term experiences, and first-time virtual events such as career fairs, Admissions informational sessions, and the Admiral’s Dinner proved to be a huge success. We stand committed to moving ahead, pivoting when necessary and working to ensure that our students gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the maritime industry and as global citizens. Thank you for your continued support. RADM Michael Alfultis, USMS, Ph.D.

The journey this past year has demonstrated the very best of Maritime’s tradition of adaptability in the face of unpredictability, and our resolve to meet, modify and overcome the challenges and situations we encounter.

President

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